Stabilized perchlorofluorocarbon compositions

ABSTRACT

COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING A PERCHLOROFLUOROCARBON ARE STABILIZED AGAINST REACTION WITH LOWER MOLECULAR WEIGHT ALCOHOLS AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURE BY PRESENCE THEREIN OF A SYNERGISTIC STABILIZING MIXTURE OF A MONONITROALKANE AND AN EPOXY RESIN. SAID COMPOSITIONS INCLUDING A LOWER MOLECULAR WEIGHT ALCOHOL ARE USEFUL AS SOLVENT MEDIA FOR METAL CLEANING AND DRY CLEANING OF TEXTILES.

United States Patent O 3,723,332 STABILIZED PERCHLOROFLUOROCARBON COMPOSITIONS Oliver A. Barton, Florham Park, N.J., assignor to Allied Chemical Corporation, New York, NY. No Drawing. Filed Nov. 27, 1970, Ser. No. 93,395 Int. Cl. (1096! 9/00; Clld 7/52; C23g /02 U.S. Cl. 252-171 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Compositions comprising a perchlorofluorocarbon are stabilized against reaction with lower molecular weight alcohols at elevated temperatures by presence therein of a synergistic stabilizing mixture of a mononitroalkane and an epoxy resin. Said compositions including a lower molecular weight alcohol are useful as solvent media for metal cleaning and dry cleaning of textiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mixtures of chlorofiuorocarbons and lower molecular weight alcohols have been used in the cleaning or degreasing of metal parts. In this application, the metal parts may be cleaned by dipping them into a hot solution of the cleaning solvent. When the metal parts are removed from the cleaning solvent, the solvent adhering thereto is removed by evaporation.

It is known also that chlorofiuorocarbons react with alcohols on standing even in the dark with the formation of halogen acids which are corrosive to many metals. The rate of this decomposition and the formation of halogen acids is increased at elevated temperatures, such as those normally used in the solvent cleaning baths.

As shown by Kvalnes, U.S. Pat. 3,085,1l6, nitroalkanes are effective as inhibitors of the reaction between certain chlorofluorocarbons and primary and secondary alcohols for periods of at least six months under ordinary storage conditions, i.e. storage at ambient temperature and in the dark. However, when such compositions are subjected to the more drastic conditions usually encountered in solvent cleaning baths where the solvent mixture may be maintained for several days at or near its boiling temperature, the inhibiting action of the nitroalkane diminishes and the decomposition of the chlorofluorocarbon occurs with the production of halogen acids.

In U.S. Pat. 3,445,527, it is disclosed that certain chlorofiuoroalkanes are stabilized against reaction with 85 to 95 volume percent alcohols of one to four carbon atoms by means of 0.1 to 5.0 weight percent of one or more monoepoxyethane compounds of the group epoxyethane, 2-methyl-1,2-epoxyethane, 2-vinyl-1,2-epoxyethane, and 2- methyl-2-vinyl-1,2-epoxyethane. It is also disclosed that these compositions may contain from 0.01 to 0.1 weight percent of nitromethane as an added stabilizer. The epoxymethane and nitromethane stabilized compositions of this patent, however, are subject to composition changes when used in open baths.

It is therefore an object of this invention to devise improved means for inhibiting the reactions between chlorofluorocarbons and lower molecular weight alcohols.

A particular object is to devise means for stabilizing hot mixtures of chlorofluorocarbons and lower molecular weight alcohols.

Another object is to provide new compositions of chlorofluorocarbons which do not decompose in the presence of lower molecular weight alcohols when maintained at or near the boiling point of the compositions for prolonged periods, and which are not subject to substantial composition changes when used in open baths.

Other objects of the invention will become obvious from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above objects of the invention can be accomphshed by incorporating in compositions comprising a perchlorofluorocarbon of from 1 to 3 carbons a lower molecular weight alcohol and a stabilizing amount of a mixture of mononitroalkane and an epoxy resin. The term perchlorofiuorocarbon is meant to denote a perhalocarbon compound containing at least one chlorine and at least one fluorine atom.

The surprising discovery has been made that mixtures of a mononitroalkane and an epoxy resin impart to solvent mixtures comprising at least one perchlorofluorocarbon and a lower molecular Weight alcohol, greater resistance to decomposition at temperatures above about 50 C. for longer periods than is achieved by using a stabilizer either a mononitroalkane or an epoxy resin alone. Further, these compositions are not subject to substantial composition changes when used in open baths.

The unusual stabilizing properties of mixtures of mononitroalkanes and epoxy resins is apparently due to a synergistic action between these components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is of value and importance in connection with the use of perchlorofluorocarbons containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and particularly perchlorotluoroethanes such as I,l,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro 1,1,2 difluoroethane. These compounds are used commercially in admixture with lower molecular Weight alcohols, particularly isopropanol, in the formulation of solvent mixtures for metal cleaning baths, for dry cleaning baths for textiles and for cleaning printed electrical circuit boards.

The lower molecular weight alcohols used with the perchlorofluorocarbons mixtures of this invention contain from one to five carbon atoms. They are essentially anhydrous, that is they contain less than five and usually less than one percent by weight of water. Typical of such lower molecular Weight alcohols are the following alkanols methanol see-butanol ethanol tertiary butanol n-propanol n-amyl alcohol iso-propanol 2-pentanol n-butanol Mixtures of alcohols can be used also.

The amount of alcohol used may vary over a considerable range. Generally, the alcohol may constitute from about 5% to 40% by Weight of the solvent cleaning compositions, but may constitute a higher or lower weight percentage in a given case.

The mononitroalkane used in the present invention are known compounds and may contain from 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Typical of these compounds are the following nitromethane l-nitropropane nitroethane Z-nitropropane Mixtures of these mononitroalkanes are contemplated also.

The epoxy resins used in accordance with this invention comprise a well known family of organic compounds many of which are readily available as articles of commerce. Such compounds have been defined as any molecule containing more than one epoxy group (that is a 1,2-epoxy, or vicinal epoxy group) whether situated internally, externally, or on cyclic structures, capable of being converted to a useful thermoset form.

Epoxy resins, their preparation and uses have been described in the patent and technical literature. The Handbook of Epoxy Resins by Lee and Neville, pub- 3 lished in 1967 by McGraW-Hill, is considered to be an authoritative text on this subject.

Typical examples of the epoxy resins suitable for use according to the invention include the following The amount of stabilization mixture required will vary with the alcohol content of the chlorofiuorocarbon/alcohol mixture and also with the temperature at which said mixture is utilized. It will be readily apparent that as the -(2,3- 1) h pg 3- ether 5 alcohol content of the mixture increases the stability of 1 3- i g 3 the mixture, especially at elevated temperatures, will detriS-2,4,6-(2,3-epoxy-pr0pyl)-methyl-phloroglucin 1 crease, and the rate of the decomposition reaction will 2,2-bi (z,3- h p increase. Accordingly, the higher the alcohol content of 2,2-bi s-2,3- h )-1 1 1 3 3 3 h the mixture, the greater will be the amount of the stabifluoropropane lizer which should be used to provide effective protection 4,4-bis(2,3-epoxy-propyl)phenyl ether against decomposition- 2,3-epoxy propyl4,4-bis p-(2,3-cpoxy-propoxy)phenyl The novel compositions of this invention comprises a t o t perchlorofluorocarbon and from about 7 to about g 4 4' i (2 3- )-bi l weight percent of a mononitroalkane containing from 1 2 2"4 4'.tetraki (2 3-ep0 y propoxy) benzophenone t0 3 carbon atoms and from about to about 1,1,3-t i p-(ZJ-epoxy-pyopoxy)phenyl-propane percent of an epoxy resin. Preferably, about 10 to about poly phenol formaldehyde poly(z 3-epoxy propyl)ether 18 Weight percent of mononitroalkane in admixture with 1,2-bis(2,3-epoxy-2-methyl propoxy)ethane about 0.7 to 0.9 weight percent of the epoxy resin can 1,3-bis(2,3-epoxy-propoxy)propyl tetramethyl-disiloxane be Used in fact, When Used Will generally PYOVide polypropyl 1 1di(g,3- l)- h 20 greater stability to the solvent composition, but larger 5,6-bis(2,3-epoxy-pro ox m th l) 1 2 3 4 7 7 h hl amounts may be wasteful and especially with regard to zb the epoxy resin, which is relatively non-volatile, may leave 2,2,-bi 4-(2,3- 1 h 1 propane residues or films on the metal parts or textile material bis(3,4-epoxy-6-methylcyclohexylmethyl)-adipate being cleaned. Further, since the perchlorofluorocarbons di 2 3 1 phthalate vary with respect to their stability in the presence of di 2,3 1h h d h h l lower molecular weight alcohols, it will be apparent 2 3 1 tetrahydrophthalate to those skilled in this art, that the amount of the mix- -g 3- Succihate ture of mononitroalkane and epoxy resin required to efepoxidized soya b il fectively stabilize a given perchlorofiuorocarbon in the epoxidized l li presence of a given lower molecular weight alcohol will diglycidyl ester f hholeic dimer acid vary accordingly to several factors, including the relative polyphenol formaldehyde l (z,3 l) h stability of the perchlorofiuorocarbon, the amount of poly o cresol f ld h d 1 2 3 1) alcohol, and the temperature at which the composition The preferred epoxy resins are those which are glycidyl Is to be ethers of bisphenols, such as the diglycidyl ether of bis- The P P examples W111 Serve to Illustrate phenol A! glycidyl ethers of phenohformaldehyde present invention. Parts and percentages are by weight novalacs, such as polyphenohformaldehyde poly (2} and temperatures are given in degrees centlgrade unless epoxy-propyl)ether, and glycidyl esters of poly carboxylic other W156 Speufied' acids such as di-2,3-epoxy-propyl phthalate.

The epoxy resins may vary from thin liquids to solids. 40 EXAMPLES '1 6 Preferably the epoxy resins are liquids of viscosity within To demonstrate the Surprising Stabilized character of 3 range about 2000 to about Q cemlPolses at the stabilized mixtures of the invention the following a C., having an epoxy equivalent weight within the t range of about 125 to about 350 and are soluble in the senes of tests earned B H chlorofluorocarbon compositions being stabilized Cold rolled Steel rods 41/4 X 3/8 were cleaned with Especially preferred because of its eneral effectiveness Steel Wool and Washed with acetone Each after and ready availability is the p y Drain p 820 cleaning, Was Weighed and then placed in a standard product of Shell chelical p y fi p y resin taper 11" x 1 tube. About 40 ml. of the solvent mixture is the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A diluted with 2 to being tested was placed m the t-ube to cover about of 57 b Wei ht of hen 1 1 id 1 and h n the rod. The tube Was capped with a reflux condenser and y g p y g yc y P then immersed to above the liquid level in a silicone oil equivalent weight of to 195, and a viscoslty within 11 h Th h d uffi 1 h the range of 4000 and 10,000 centipoises at 25 C. The mung at e 01 was eate S (Elem y to cause e diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A is the reaction product test solvent to reflux. The solvent m xtures were mainof three moles of epichlorohydrin and two moles of bisat reflux tefhperatufe r varlous periods, after phenol The undiluted resin is available under the 55 WhlCh the solvent mlxture was analyzed for chloride ion trade designation of Epon 828 and has an epoxy equivalent content and the Weight 1055 Of the Steel if y, Was weight of to 192 and a viscosity of 10,000 to 16,000 determinedcentipoises at 25 C. Aralidite 6010 (Ciba) is an equivalent T data Obtained in this S6li6S of tests ar h0Wn in commercially available product. the following table.

TABLE Period of test 3 days 10 days 20 days 30 days 01- Weight Cl- Weight o1- Weight o1- Weight Solvent mixture loss" loss loss 105 Example 1, Genetron 112 67 parts; Isopropanol, 22.2 parts N.T. 0.038 5 Example 2, Gcnetron 112 67 parts; Isopropanol, 2 parts; Nitromethane,

10.8 parts 68 0.0028 564 0. 0233 N.T. .3592 Example 3, Genetron 112 67 parts; Isopropanol, 2 parts; Epon 820, 1 part (Bar degraded so badly aiterZdays, 01- could not be determined) Example 4, Gcnetron 112 67 parts; Isopropanol, 22.2 parts; Nitrorncthane,

10.8parts; Epon 820, 0.5 part 4.8 .0006 Example 5, Gcnetron 112 67 parts; Isopropanol, 22.2 parts; N itromcthanc, 510 3011 7.5 parts; Epon 820, 0.5 part Reflux temperature of all solvent mixtures was about 74. All compositions contained less than 0.1 water.

b Cl ion expressed in parts per million. Weight loss expressed in grams.

d Genetron is the registered trademark of Allied Chemical Corporation for halogenated hydrocarbons. Genctron% difiuoroethane.

112 is 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-1,2-

NOTE.N.T.=Indicntes that the chloride ion content was so high as to make determination impractical.

These results indicate that a typical solvent mixture (Ex. 1) decomposes quite badly in 3 days at its reflux temperature; that nitromethane (16.1% based on chlorofluorocarbon) provides only limited stability for to 20 days at elevated temperatures (Ex. 2), and that an epoxy resin (about 1.5% based on chlorofluorocarbon) was without eflect in stabilizing the boiling mixture of perchlorofluoroethane and alcohol after two days (Ex. 3). The mixture of nitromethane (16.1% based on chlorofluorocarbon) and an epoxy resin (about 0.75% based on chlorofluorocarbon) effectively stabilizes the same solvent mixture for more than 30 days at this elevated temperature (Ex. 4).

Further, examples 2, 3, and 4 establish the presence of a synergistic efiect in the mixture of mononitroalkane and epoxy resin in stabilizing perchlorofluorocarbons in the presence of lower molecular weight alcohols at elevated temperatures.

EXAMPLE 6 The test procedure described above was repeated using a mixture of 63 parts of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-1,2-difluoroethane, 37 parts of tertiary butanol, 5 parts of nitromethane and 0.5 part of Epon 820 as the solvent medium and a copper rod in place of the steel rod. After twelve days in the refluxing solvent (temperature of 78) the copper rod decreased only 2.7 mg. in weight and the chloride ion content of the solvent was only 17.2 p.p.m., indicating that the mixture of nitromethane and epoxy resin was effective to stabilize the perchlorofluorocarbon in the presence of tertiary butanol at 78.

Repetition of this experiment but omitting the epoxy resin from the mixture, resulted, after only 4 days, in the deposition of a coating of cupric chloride on the copper rod and a gain in weight of about 0.02 gram.

I claim:

1. A composition stable in the presence of lower molecular weight alcohols having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms which composition consists essentially of a perchlorofluorocarbon of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and a mixture of from about 7 to about 20 weight percent of a mononitroalkane having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and from about 0.4 to about 1.0 weight percent of an epoxy resin based on the perchlorofluorocarbon said mixture being present in an amount sufficient to stabilize the perchlorofluorocarbon in the presence of the lower molecular weight alcohol at a temperature between 50 C. and the boiling temperature of said composition for a period in excess of twenty (20) days in an open bath.

2. A composition as described in claim 1 wherein the perchlorofluorocarbon is a perchlorofiuoroethane.

3. A composition as described in claim 2 wherein the perchlorofiuoroethane is 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-1,2-difluoroethane.

4. A composition as described in claim 3 wherein the mononitroalkane is present in the amount of from about 10 to about 18 weight percent and the epoxy resin is present in the amount of from about 0.7 to about 0.9 weight percent.

5. A composition as described in claim 3 wherein the mononitroalkane is nitromethane.

6. A composition as described in claim 4 wherein the mononitroalkane is nitromethane.

7. A composition as described in claim 3 wherein the epoxy resin is a liquid of viscosity within the r nge of about 2,000 to 20,000 centipoises at 25 0., having an epoxy equivalent weight within the range of about to about 350 and is soluble in the perchlorofluorocarbon mixture being stabilized.

8. A composition as described in claim 7 wherein the epoxy resin is a member of the group consisting of glycidyl ethers of bisphenols, glycidyl ethers of phenol-formaldehyde novalacs, and glycidyl esters of polycarboxylic acids.

9. A composition as described in claim 8 wherein the epoxy resin is a glycidyl ether of a bisphenol.

10. A composition as described in claim 9 wherein the epoxy resin is essentially the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A.

11. A composition as described in claim 10 wherein the epoxy resin is the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A diluted with about 2 to 5 percent by weight of phenyl glycidyl ether and has an epoxy equivalent weight of to and a viscosity within the range of 4000 to 10,000 centipoises at 25 C.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,445,527 5/1969 Okamura et a1. 252-171 3,536,766 10/1970 Mogford 260--652.5 3,539,646 11/i1970 Dannels et a1. 260652.5 2,260,753 10/1941 Marble et a1. 260- 47 EP 3,547,881 12/ 1970 Mueller et al 260-47 EP 3,553,165 1/1971 Kiryu 260-47 EP LEON D. ROSDOL, Primary Examiner W. E. SCHULZ, Assistant Examiner 11.8. C1. X.R. 260-652.5 

